Method and apparatus for video surveillance system field alignment

Abstract

The present invention provides a video surveillance apparatus and method of operation for a system having at least one predefined setting. A first parameter corresponding to an alignment of a video camera assembly with a visual target is stored. A second parameter corresponding to the alignment of a modified video camera assembly with the visual target is obtained. A difference between the first and second parameters is determined. The difference is applied to at least one of the predefined settings.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A video surveillance apparatus comprising:
 a memory, the memory configured to store at least one predefined setting; 
 a processor in communication with the memory, the processor configured to:
 compare a first parameter corresponding to a position of a video camera assembly configuration to a second parameter corresponding to the position of a modified configuration of the video camera assembly; 
 determine a difference between the first and second parameters; and 
 replace the stored at least one predefined setting with at least one modified predefined setting, the at least one modified predefined setting being based at least in part on the determined difference. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first parameter includes at least one of a pan position, a tilt position, and a zoom position. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first parameter includes an alignment indicator. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stored at least one predefined setting is a stored plurality of predefined settings; and
 the processor is further configured to replace at least substantially all of the stored plurality of predefined settings with a plurality of modified predefined settings, the plurality of modified predefined settings being based at least in part on the determined difference. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the memory is further configured store the first and second parameters. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one predefined setting is a target position. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one predefined setting is a privacy zone setting. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a sensor and encoder in communication with the processor, the processor is further configured to obtain the second parameter from the at least one of the sensor and encoder. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second parameter includes at least one of a pan position, a tilt position, and a zoom position. 
     
     
       10. A method of configuring a video surveillance system comprising:
 storing, in a memory, a plurality of predefined settings; 
 storing a first parameter corresponding to an alignment of a video camera assembly configuration with a visual target; 
 obtaining a second parameter corresponding to the alignment of a modified configuration of the video camera assembly with the visual target; 
 determining, using a processor, a difference between the first and second parameters; and 
 replacing at least one of the stored plurality of predefined settings with at least one modified predefined setting, the at least one modified predefined setting being based at least in part on the determined difference. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the configuration is modified based at least in part on a relocation of at least a portion of the video camera assembly. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the configuration is modified based at least in part on a substitution of at least one component of the video camera assembly with at least one replacement component. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first parameter includes at least one of a pan position, a tilt position, and a zoom position. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first parameter includes at least one alignment indicator. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising replacing substantially all of the stored plurality of predefined settings with a plurality of modified predefined settings, the plurality of modified predefined settings being based at least in part on the determined difference. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of predefined settings includes a target position. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of predefined settings includes a privacy zone setting. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of predefined settings includes a surveillance pattern setting. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second parameter includes at least one of a pan position, a tilt position, and a zoom position. 
     
     
       20. A method of configuring a video surveillance system, comprising:
 storing, in a memory, a plurality of video camera assembly position settings; 
 storing a first parameter corresponding to at least one of the plurality of video camera assembly position settings; 
 obtaining a second parameter corresponding to at least one of the plurality of video camera assembly position settings; 
 determining, using a processor, a difference between the first and second parameters; and 
 replacing the remaining stored video camera assembly position settings with at least one modified video camera assembly position setting, the at least one modified video camera assembly position setting being based at least in part on the determined difference.